Latvian

American  

[lat-vee-uhn, laht-] / ˈlæt vi ən, ˈlɑt- /

adjective

1. of or relating to Latvia, its inhabitants, or their language.

---

noun

1. a native or inhabitant of Latvia.

2. Also the Baltic language of Latvia.

Latvian British  

/ ˈlætvɪən /

adjective

1. of or relating to Latvia, its people, or their language

---

noun

1. Also called: Lettish.  the official language of Latvia: closely related to Lithuanian and belonging to the Baltic branch of the Indo-European family

2. a native or inhabitant of Latvia

Etymology

Origin of Latvian

First recorded in 1915–20; Latvi(a) + -an

Example Sentences

Egils Lescinskis, Latvian deputy chief of the Joint Staff, said the drone "most likely veered off course or was affected by electromagnetic warfare measures protecting some technically important objects".

From BBC • Mar. 25, 2026

After their competitions, the Ukrainian and Latvian bobsled teams lifted their helmets in tribute to Heraskevych.

From Los Angeles Times • Feb. 16, 2026

The 26-year-old Latvian posted the quickest times in the second and third stages to top the standings by 1.3seconds from Adrien Fourmaux.

From Barron's • Nov. 27, 2025

He spent two years studying the role of musical activity in the nonviolent anti-Soviet uprisings of the Baltic States during the Perestroika era, publishing his research in English and Latvian.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 7, 2025

They were hers, the Latvian who had lost her life to winter and war on the side of a road.

From "Salt to the Sea" by Ruta Sepetys